The watch, to be called the International Watch for Elections in Singapore (IWES) is to be inaugurated during a visit of an international fact finding mission in late February.

The OSC is in the process of finalising the details of the watch and also inviting members of organisations engaged in similar work to form part of the mission.

The mission’s principal aim would be to study election procedures and those issues that have an effect on voting behaviour. Future activities of the watch would flow from the recommendations of the mission.

The Nov 4 forum was attended by OSC chairman, Mr J. B. Jeyaretnam, its director, Dr Chee Soon Juan and programme co-ordinator, Mr Kevin Liew. Mr Vincent Wijeysingha, who was commissioned by the OSC to compile the election report and assist in the planning of the watch, was also present.

Dr Chee said, "The aim of the project is to raise an organisation consisting of Singaporean and overseas observers who will perform the function of monitoring elections here".